Part 1: A small research study will examine four professional probiotic products. Products will be chosen that contain Lactobacillus acidophilus alone or are combined with Bifidobacter species.
Part 2: The medical literature will be reviewed and evidence gathered for what constitutes human clinical efficacy of Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacteria species with special emphasis on gut implantation, effect on other microflora, and immune enhancement. A summary of the medical literature will be presented.
Part 3: The medical literature will be reviewed; information and evidence gathered that establishes relevance and clinical efficacy for the specific strain of a probiotic. Strain is distinct from genus and species. Most ND's don't know what it is about a specific strain that makes it more clinically effective than another. Suppliers make all sorts of claims about their probiotic of a specific strain having superior efficacy. Research of the literature regarding "strain" will be conducted and findings presented.